Journey to Cozumel 2

[Steve O]

Our general plan for today was to drive from Chihuahua to the Cascada de Basaseachic, which was only 110 kilometers out of our way, then take the short cut down to Creel and spend the night. I was getting use to driving in the mountains but still didn't realize that Mexico is all mountains. I assumed once we got close to the coast the roads would be level and the driving easier. Boy, was I going to be proven wrong. Anyway, we only had 250 kilometers to drive to Basaseachic, maybe an hour to see the falls then another 120 kilometers to Creel. Should be an easy 8 hour day.


We were up early and ready to go. Finally got to get a good look at where we had spent the night. Looked like the motel had a good following.


http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b149/fypons/day2P3250021.jpg


The terrain was changing. The cacti were going away and we were seeing more and more trees as we got higher into the Sierra Madre mountains. The temperature was changing also. When we crossed the border it was 87 degrees and now it was 55.


http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b149/fypons/day2P3250022.jpg


The nice thing about driving in Mexico is there isn't very much traffic unless you are near a big city.


http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b149/fypons/day2P3250023.jpg


It took us 7 hours to reach Basaseachic Falls. That converts to about 100 kilometers every 3 hours. It's also raining.


http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b149/fypons/day2P3250049.jpg

[Steve O]

There is a small souvenir area where local handicrafts can be purchased. No entrance fee to the park. The guy at the shop wanted to buy our Explorer for 3 times what we paid for it. Every place we stopped someone would want to buy it. Must be a good vehicle to have in Mexico.


http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b149/fypons/day2P3250027.jpg


We headed out to see the falls. The path wasn't well marked but you could see where people had gone before.


http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b149/fypons/day2P3250028.jpg


We found the riverbed and followed that.


http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b149/fypons/day2P3250029.jpg


The walking got a little rough sometimes. We were starting to wonder how far we had to go.


http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b149/fypons/day2P3250031.jpg

[Steve O]

45 minutes later we came to an opening and the view was worth every step we had taken.


http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b149/fypons/day2P3250035.jpg


The falls were great. Sure wish I could see them during rainy season


http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b149/fypons/day2P3250039.jpg


We were going to go the the bottom of the falls but that was another 2 1/2 hour hike down and we were running out of time. We could have camped but with the temperatures in the upper thirties at night we decided not to. We still wanted to get to Creel before dark so we headed back to the car.



http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b149/fypons/day2P3250045.jpg

[lianne]

Amazing!:eek: How long did you plan for this trip? How long were you gone? What an epic trip, and you've just started to tell us about it! More please, and thank you!

[Karen in OH]

I soooo want to be you Steve ;) Looking forward to more of the great adventure!

[PhyllisB]

Fantastic pix and stories, as always! Thanks, Steve!

[minniemex]

There is a small souvenir area where local handicrafts can be purchased. No entrance fee to the park. The guy at the shop wanted to buy our Explorer for 3 times what we paid for it. Every place we stopped someone would want to buy it. Must be a good vehicle to have in Mexico.

Ok, here is my plan - buy a used explorer (wait, I already own one), drive it down to Mexico & sell it to pay for my trip there!!